TAGS: Medical
Solvay and Metrex have announced the results of a recent study on the compatibility of several advanced Solvay healthcare polymers with Metrex disinfectants. The joint study included CaviWipes™ 2.0 and evaluated the chemical resistance of Solvay’s high-performance polymers and their ability to withstand strong disinfectants used to combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs).
High-performing Polymers Against Repeated Exposure
As aggressive disinfectants take an increasing toll on traditional plastics, medical device and equipment manufacturers are looking for higher performing plastics that withstand repeated exposure to these chemicals. Solvay offers a broad range of high-performance polymers that give medical OEMs greater confidence in the ability of their products to deliver a longer life, avoid warranty issues and reinforce brand value. The collaboration with Metrex aims to raise the bar for the durability, safety and reliability of devices exposed to frequent disinfection.
Six Solvay’s Polymers vs. Metrex Surface Disinfectants
Six Solvay specialty polymers were tested against three Metrex healthcare surface disinfectants, CaviWipes™, CaviWipes™ Bleach and new CaviWipes™ 2.0, which is fully qualified for the EPA’s rigorous Emerging Viral Pathogen claim.
The results revealed that Solvay’s Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), Udel® polysulfone (PSU), Veradel® polyethersulfone (PESU), Ixef® polyarylamide (PARA), Kalix® high-performance polyamide (HPPA), and Amodel® polyphthalamide (PPA) polymers all meet performance acceptance criteria for retention of impact strength, tensile strength and color after repeated exposure to Metrex disinfectants. On average, all six Solvay materials exhibited over 90 percent retention of impact and tensile strength and a Delta E color difference of less than 2.
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We continue to enhance our surface disinfectants to meet new healthcare challenges, such as those created by the COVID-19 pandemic, across the entire Infection Prevention Circle of Care,” said Jesiska Tandy, lead material science engineer, Metrex. “
We partnered with Solvay to evaluate the effects of these next-generation disinfectants on a range of specialty polymers, which had impressive results. The study clearly illustrates how our two companies are working together to help medical device manufacturers make better-informed material choices, and how we are helping hospitals derive the greatest value from their equipment while protecting patients and staff.”
Source: Solvay